Photocopier valve



3,382,887 PHGTOCUPEER VALVE Howard L. Erickson, Bensenville, 111., assignor to The Dole Valve Company, Morton Grove, 111., a corporation of Illinois Filed Oct. 3, 1966, Ser. No. 583,640 4 Claims. (Cl. 137-263) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLGSURE A photocopier valve having a first inlet for conducting concentrated toner fiuid to a reservoir tank and a second inlet for conducting dilute toner solution to the tank. A slug valve is disposed between the two inlets and the outlet leading to the tank so as to allow a measured quantity of concentrated fluid to enter the tank in response to the proper signal indicating the need for additional fluid concentrate in the fluid solution. The head of the slug valve which normally 'congeals due to the viscose nature of the toner concentrate fluid is disposed directly in line with the normal flow of dilute fluid to the reservoir which contains the photocopier fluid solution. This allows the continuous washing of the head of the slug valve and prevents congealing thereof.

The present invention relates to a photocopier solution dispenser system, a photocopier dispenser valve and a self-sealing cap for a refill container for use in such a system. More specifically the invention relates to a photocopier dispenser system which discharges a measured quantity of a photocopy solution into a reservoir, provides for easy and convenient connection and replacement of solution-containing bottles without spillage and has provision for preventing clogging of the dispensing valve.

In photocopiers it is necessary to discharge a measured quantity of a concentrated solution such as a toner solution from a cartridge or container into a photocopier reserve in response to a sensed lack of such solution in such reserve or in response to an operators signal. Because the concentrated solution often involves a material of high viscosity and adhesiveness, such as carbon black, discharge of the proper quantity through the valve is difficult. After repeated discharges the solution tends to clog in the valve preventing uniformity in the quantity discharged and other adverse effects upon the valve operation. Also because of the nature of the toner solution, the periodic replacement of the toner supply in the photocopier is often a difiicult and sometimes messy operation.

it is a primary object of this invention to provide a new and improved photocopier dispenser valve, a new and improved self-sealing cap for a refill container, bottle or cartridge, and a combination of the self-sealing cap for a refill container, and the new and improved dispenser valve in a dispensing system for a photocopier.

One advantage of the present invention is that it provides means for preventing clogging of the valve by the concentrated fluid.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent from the following detailed description of certain preferred embodiments thereof taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan elevational view or" a photocopier dispenser system including a dispenser valve adapted for use with a self-sealing container cap, both of which are shown in section, constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention; and

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the selfealing cap of FIG. 1, with parts in moved position in the self-sealed 1 United States Patent 3,332,887 Patented May 14, 1968 position and with a transportation and storage cover adapted for fitting thereon shown adjacent thereto.

On the drawings:

Referring now to FIG. 1, there is depicted a dispenser valve system generally indicated by the numeral 10. The system 10 is provided for dispensing a predetermined quantity of toner solution from a container such as the toner container 13, and for supplying the toner solution to a reservoir, such as the tank 31, of a photoreproduction machine.

As depicted, the system 16 includes a photocopier dispenser valve generally indicated by the numeral 11, and a self-sealing cap generally indicated by the numeral 12. The cap 12 is afiixed to and in sealing contact 'with a replacement cartridge or container 13 which contains the toner solution. Such toner solution is of high viscosity and contains, in some applications, a heavy concentration of carbon black material. The self-sealing cap 12 for the container 13 is adapted for operation by means of a hose adapter, indicated by the numeral 14, on which a hose 15 is connected. The hose 15 provides for fiow between the adapter 14 which opens through the cap 12 into the interior of the container 13, and an input designated 16 of the dispenser valve 11. The dispenser valve 11 includes, in addition to the input 16, a second input 17 for receiving a dilute solution. Because the dilute solution is of lesser viscosity and is generally less susceptible to spillage, staining, etc., than is the toner solution, it may be adapted from any source schematically shown, such as the source indicated by the numeral 18, although in some applications it may be desirable to use a self-sealing cap such as the cap 12.

The dilute source 18 may be the pure dilute solution container-valve system from which a measured quantity of dilute solution is discharged at approximately the same time as that at which the valve 11 is operated. However, in one particular application of the system 10, it has been found to be preferable that the source 18 comprise the recirculation pump and the reservoir from which the dilute solution mixed with the toner solution is taken. This arrangement provides for periodic or continuous flow past the interior portions of the valve 11 between the inlet 17 and the outlet, which flow has the advantage of preventing clogging of the toner solution therein and of aiding in extracting and admixing the discharged measured quantities of the toner solution therefrom. In some applications it may be necessary to interrupt temporarily the flow from the input 17 during the discharge of the toner solution to prevent back-flow of the dilute into the toner container.

The valve dispenser 11, thus has two inputs 16 and 17, both of which are of a generally hollow cylindrical shape and are adapted to receive flexible hoses so as to be in communication with solutions. The generally cylindrical inputs 16 and 17 enter into a main body cavity generally indicated by the numeral 19. The cavity 19 is of a general cylindrical shape with the inlet 16 opening into one end and the inlet 17 into the other. The inlet 17 opens into one portion designated 17a of the curved side wall of a body forming the cavity 19, opposite the outlet passage 28.

An annular portion 19a is inserted in the cylindrical bore cavity between the inlets 16 and 17. The annular portion 19a has a cylindrical outer wall in contact with an increased diameter conformingly shaped portion of the interior cylindrical wall of the cavity 19. A groove 20 is formed in the outer wall of the annular portion 19:: for receiving a ring-shaped O-ring 21 which functions to provide a leakproof seal between the annular portion 19:: and the wall of the valve body defining the cavity 19.

The annular portion 19a has a cross-sectional configuration of a generally rectangular shape, except for the provision of the groove 20, which includes a forward facing planar wall 119a and a rearward facing wall 12%. The wall 119a faces the opening of the inlet 16 to the cavity 19 and abuts against a ridge formed between the expanded diameter portion for receiving the annular portion 19a and the normal diameter of the cavity 19. The annular portion 1% defines a cylindrically shaped path for allowing passage therethrough between a portion of the cavity 19 in communication with the inlet 16 and the portion of the cavity 19 in communication with the outlet 28. Mounted co-axially with the annular axis of the portion 1% and passing therethrough is a shaft on which a pair of separated elastic material disc-shaped, washerlike members 24 and 25 are affixed, the members 24 and 25 are each mounted normally to the cylindrical shaft 26 at a spaced separation greater than the axial length of the annularly shaped member 19a. The member 1912 defines two ring-like planar edge ends 119a, 1260 against which the flexible members 24 and 25 may respectively seat against to stop communication. The members 24 and 25 are of such a diameter and constructed preferably of a flexible material such as rubber for seating against opposite sections of the surfaces 119a and 120a with the member 24 seating against the surface 11% and the washer 25 seating against the surface 1229a.

The members 24 and 25 are of such a spacing on the cylindrical shaft 26 as to be greater than the distance between the surfaces 119a and 128a. The shaft 26 is mounted for motion along the axis of the body and the annular-shaped member 19a by means including a solenoid 29. The shaft is mounted for motion between a position in which the washer 25 is in sealing contact against the surface 120a (as shown), and a second position in which the washer 25 is free of the surface 12tla and the washer 24 is in sealing contact with the surface 1119a.

The solenoid includes a pair of electrical connectors 2% to which electrical power may be selectively applied to move the shaft 26. The energization of the solenoid 29 may be performed by an automatic sensing device in response to a sensed lack of toner solution in the reservoir or manually. Sampling means which respond to the specific gravity or electrical conductivity or other property of the solution contained in the tank to automatically inject a measured quantity of the toner solution via the valve dispenser 11 are preferred to manual operation.

The solenoid 29 acts quickly in response to energization to move the members 24, 25 to allow a quantity of material trapped therebetween in the annular-shaped cavity for-med between the rod or shaft 26 and the portion 19a and to discharge this quantity through the discharge port 28 into the reservoir 31. The discharge port 28 may be provided with a conventional external thread 28a mounted on a nipple-like extension therefrom for fitting within the tank 31 by means of a conventional nut 28b.

The interconnection between the hose 15 and the inlet 16 may be of any conventional type. As shown, the hose 15 may be of elastic material such as plastic or rubber for forming a seal-tight union between the inlet 16 and the hose 15 by means of the natural elastic pressure when fitted thereabout. In some applications, the adapter 14 and the inlet 16 may be combined to eliminate the hose 15.

The hose 15 may be fitted to a similar nipple-like extension 14a of the generally hollow cylindrically shaped hose adapter 14. The adapter 14 defines a fluid passageway from the interior of the hose to the cap extension 12. The cylindrical body portion of the adapter 14 includes an outstanding circular ridge generally indicated at 141) for allowing a loose-fitting cap 14c to be fitted thereto. The cap 140 has a generally hollow cylindrical shape of greater diameter than the body of the cylindrical member and extends thereaoout, and includes a downturned circular flange 1% for adapting it about the body of the member 14. The interior surface of the cap member 140 has an internal thread for adapting it for attachment to the external thread formed on a cylindrical nipple portion 12a of the cap 12.

A hollow cylindrical portion Me of the member 14 extends into the cap 12 and includes a cutout 14f for receiving a sealing O-ring 14g therein. The contact between the O-ring 14g and the interior walls of the nipple extension of the cap 12 produces a fluid seal.

The cap 12 defines a generally cylindrically shaped cavity 121; in direct communication with the interior of the container 13. The bottle replacement cartridge or container 13 has an outstanding hollow cylindrical portion 13a in communication with the interior thereof extending outwardly therefrom and having an external thread for mating with an internal thread formed on a cylindrical portion 12c. Mounted within the cavity 12b of the cap 12 is a support bracket 12c having a generally circular depressed portion 12c centrally located for receiving a spiraling spring 121. The spring 121 is under compression between the depressed portion of the bracket 12:? and a plug 12g which has an outstanding cylindrical portion 12g about which a portion of the spring 12 may be fitted. The spring 12) serves to bias the plug 12g away from the bracket 12:: towards a constricted portion 12a of the cap body. The plug 12g is preferably formed of an elastic deformable material such as rubber. When the nipple in the cylindrical portion 142 of the adapter 14 is inserted within the receiving nipple portion 12a, the plug 12g is forced away from the opening of the constricted portion of the cap body 12a. The cylindrical portion of the nipple adapter 14 is provided with one or more cutout portions or passageways 142 for allowing communication from a cartridge interior 1312 via the cavity 12a through the cylindrical opening into the tube 15 and thence into the dispensing valve 11.

As best shown in FIG. 2, the plug 12g when not moved away from the portion 12a by the adapter 14 is forced against the constricted portion 12a of the cap 12 and is in sealing contact therewith.

With the adapter 14 removed from the cavity 12, the threaded portions for receiving the adapter 14 equally accommodate a transportation cover 32 such as depicted. The transportation cover 32 is of a generally cylindrical shape with an end 32a closed and another end 3211 open, and is provided with matching internal threads 320 for mating on the threads of the cap 12.

In operation, the system of FIG. 1 functions to discharge a quantity of the toner solution by activation of the solenoid 29 which moves the shaft 26 and the associated members 24 and 25. The removal of the member 25 from the surface 123a allows the metered quantity container between the area about the shaft 26 to be discharged through the outlet 28. The action of the movement of the shaft 26 also causes the member 25 to come into sealing contact with the surface 119a of the portion 19a so as to prevent continuous flow therethrough. The quantities discharged from the valve are restored by flow from the container 13 through the self-sealing cap 12 via the adapter 14 and hose 15 into the inlet 16 of the valve 11.

As is now apparent a new and improved photocopier valve, self-sealing cap for a refill container, and a new and improved combination of the photocopier valve and the self-sealing cap in a photocopier system have been, provided. The cap 12 has the specific advantage of providing easy replacement of the container 13 within the system. The dispenser valve 11 provides for the discharge of a measured quantity of concentrated solution to a reserve and has a special provision for washing the members 24 and 25 for preventing clogging thereof by producing the dilute fluid via the inlet 17.

The organization and manner of operation of the invention, together with further objects and advantages thereof may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in the several figures of which like reference numerals identify like elements, and in which an exemplification of the invention is illustrated.

I claim as my invention:

1. A valve system comprising:

a valve body having first and second inlets, an outlet, and a flow passageway interconnecting the inlets and the outlet, first and second valve seats formed within said flow passageway between the first inlet and the combination of the second inlet and the outlet,

said first valve seat facing away from the first inlet and generally toward the combination of the second inlet and the outlet,

said second valve seat facing toward the first inlet and generally away from the combination of the second inlet and the outlet,

valve means operably mounted within said passageway and having first and second valve heads cooperable with said first and second valve seats respectively for controlling the flow of fluid through said passagesaid valve heads being spaced apart by a distance greater than the spacing of said valve seats and being jointly movable within said passageway for closing one valve seat and simultaneously opening the other seat thereby allowing a discrete quantity of fluid to pass from said first inlet to said outlet,

said second inlet being directed at said first valve seat to wash said first valve seat and said first valve head thereby preventing the sticking thereof due to the drying or congealing of fluid thereabout.

2. A valve system in accordance with claim 1 wherein said first valve head has a tapered edge for establishing a substantially line contact with said first valve seat and wherein said first valve head has an annular shape to allow uniform Washing thereof due to the fiow of fluid from said second inlet to said outlet.

3. A valve system in accordance with claim 1 wherein said valve means comprises a solenoid operated valve operator having a valve stem extended within said passageway and having said valve heads mounted on opposite ends of said valve stem, wherein energization of said solenoid causes said valve stem to move rapidly toward said outlet for opening said first valve seat and simultaneously closing said second valve seat and for allowing a measured quantity of fluid present between said valve heads to pass through said outlet.

4. A photocopier valve system comprising:

a valve body having first and second inlets, an outlet and a flow passageway interconnecting the inlets and the outlet, a slug valve means operably disposed within the flow passageway at such point as to deliver a slug of fluid from the first inlet to the outlet,

said slug valve means having an inlet valve head and an outlet valve head,

said outlet valve head being disposed in the flow path of said second inlet for being washed by the flow from said second inlet to said outlet.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,582,225 4/1926 Pulkinghorn l37-605 X 528,441 10/1894 Muller 137-604 XR 3,263,702 8/1966 Pullen et al 137-604 XR FOREIGN PATENTS 209,688 3/ 1957 Australia. 1,126,777 6/1955 France.

M. CARY NELSON, Primary Examiner.

ROBERT J. MILLER, Assistant Examiner. 

